Category Archives: Random

I love fall. It could be the crisp autumn air. Or it could be the changing of the leaves. But I think it’s mostly due to the fact that cider donuts are back. In the northeast, they’re always abundant on any “U-Pick” farm or at a local Cider Mill from September until November. And sometimes they even linger around longer. I much prefer them to pumpkin donuts.

Riamede Farms hot cider, pumpkin, and cider donut

I have yet to try a yeast cider donut, but I’m sure that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Typically you’ll find them as cake donuts and then either glazed, powdered, or, more often than not, covered in cinnamon and sugar. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and spiced to perfection. So don’t be shy, head out there and try them all. Best served warm.

Perfect for the person who wants their whole house to smell like a donut shop (like me)! When you can’t get the real thing, this is a perfect substitute. A mix of cinnamon, vanilla cake, and sugar to perk you up around the house. Best used in small rooms, as the scent isn’t powerful in large rooms. Made by Slatkin & Co and sold by Bath & Body Works.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel all around the world with my job. There are so many things to see and experience….and eat. I’m not a self-proclaimed “foodie,” but I can certainly tell the difference between a good meal and a bad meal. However, my passion lies somewhere else….somewhere sweeter….somewhere doughy-er.

Wherever I go, I always try to hunt for the best local donut shop. It’s a delicious endeavor that gives me an excuse to get up early in the morning. And I’m sure if I was having my last meal, a donut would certainly be included on the menu. I’m not quite sure where I contracted my obsession for donuts. It could be in my blood. A theory that donuts were invented in North America by Dutch settlers could ring true, since my paternal grandparents (and their parents) could speak Pennsylvania Dutch. It could be in my sweet tooth. Growing up I was never too far away from a baked good. But whatever the reason, and much to my wife’s dismay (I call it jealously), I’m on a quest to hunt for the nation’s and world’s best donut.

Most of the dount shops I will feature here are independently owned, versus the chains. We all know Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, and a few other chains depending on where you live in the US, but I find some of the most delicious and inventive donuts come from the truly creative independent shops. That’s not knocking the chains. My first donut encounters was with Mister Donut in my hometown in PA. They made a mean, raised toasted coconut donut. Dunkin Dounts eventually bought them out, but luckily they still retained the toasted coconut recipe and continued to bake in house. I also quickly fell in love with the Krispy Kreme glazed donut when I first had one. I waited until the light came on and the fresh ones came out, to snatch one up. Melt in your mouth donut. But a lot of the chains now lose points in my freshness book for getting daily deliveries from bakery warehouses far away. The mass production and long delivery time zaps the freshness, personal touch, and creativity right out of them.

I look forward to sharing my donut hunting adventures with you and hope that, like me, you’ll appreciate donuts for their nutritional value uncanny way of putting a smile on our glazed covered faces. And if I ever see you at a donut shop, come on over and lets split a dozen.

[Photo credits: sanderscookiejarbakery.com and The Donut Hunter at a London Christmas Market]